Unit Code: U21862

Unit Level: M
Unit Title: World Englishes
Unit Coordinator: Dr Mario Saraceni
Unit Tutors: Dr Mario Saraceni and Dr Glenn Hadikin
Academic Year: 2012-13

Aims The aims of this unit are

1.To introduce students to the history and the geography of the relocation of
English around the world
2.To introduce students to key socio-linguistic notions of language contact
3.To ensure students acquire familiarity with the key issues in and the
development of the academic fields of World Englishes and English as a Lingua
Franca
4.To familiarise students with some of the linguistic features (at the level of
phonology, lexis, grammar, discourse) of the main varieties of English
5.To engage students in discussions about the political and ideological
implications of the relocation of English and the various roles it plays in different
settings around the world
6.To encourage students to reflect on the pedagogical implications of the
plurality of rules and roles of English in the world.
Learning outcomes On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
1.Systematically outline the history and the geography of the relocation of
English around the world
2.Critically discuss the notion of language contact with relation to inherent
hybridity of the English language
3.Identify and analyse the key issues in and the development of the academic
fields of World Englishes and English as a Lingua Franca
4.Compare and contrast significant linguistic features (at the level of phonology,
lexis, grammar, discourse) of the main varieties of English
5.Evaluate the political and ideological implications of the relocation of English
and the various roles it plays in different settings around the world

6.Reflect critically on the pedagogical implications of the plurality of rules and

roles of English with particular reference to a part of the world they are familiar
with.
Syllabus Outline
1.An overview of the field (Initial debates between Kachru & Prator and Kachru &
Quirk)
2.Language Varieties and Language Contact (Relevant elements of
sociolinguistics)
3.The History and Geography of English (Overview of Schneider's model)
4.Englishes in Britain (Plurality in Britain: regional and social dialects)
5.Englishes in North America (General overview; AAVE; Hip-Hop)
6.Englishes in the Southern Hemisphere (From self-consciousness to pride)
7.Englishes in Southeast Asia (Multiple identities, multilingualism, hybridity)
8.Englishes in Africa (Linguistic Imperialism?)
9.Englishes in South Asia (The nativization of English)
10.Englishes in the Expanding Circle and ELF (Emerging varieties in Europe and
East Asia)
11.Researching World Englishes (Questions, methods, issues)
12.Teaching World Englishes (Challenges & opportunities)
Teaching method and unit delivery
This unit is delivered by distance and its content is organized in 'blocks'. Each
block focuses on a main theme corresponding to an aspect of the worldwide
spread and pluralization of English. There are three main components to each
block:

a.some input from tutors;

b.readings from relevant literature;
c.a forum which allows you to participate in discussion about the content of the
block and ask questions. Your tutors, Mario and Glenn, will participate in the
discussions too.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on the following:

1.A computer-based test, aimed at ascertaining that students have learned

factual information about the spread of English and the academic fields related
to it. This will account for 30% of the overall weighting.
2.A piece of written coursework in which students critically discuss the political,
ideological and pedagogical implications of the spread of English in the world,
with particular reference to a part of the world of their choice. This will account
for 70% of the overall weighting.
Marking criteria for the written coursework